Literary Devices

Front

What is a simile?

Back

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using the words 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'as clear as crystal'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is a metaphor?

Back

A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things without using 'like' or 'as'. For example, 'She is a cheetah on the race track'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Front

What is rhyme?

Back

Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds at the end of words. For example, 'cat' and 'hat' rhyme.

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is alliteration?

Back

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in a series of words. For example, 'Suzy slipped the silver sword'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.RL.2.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Front

What is irony?

Back

Irony is a literary device where the intended meaning is different from the actual meaning. For example, calling someone 'grumpy' who smiles a lot.

Tags

CCSS.L.8.5A

Front

What is imagery?

Back

Imagery is the use of descriptive language that appeals to the senses and creates a mental picture. For example, 'The golden sun set over the calm blue sea'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Front

What is personification?

Back

Personification is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to animals, objects, or ideas. For example, 'The wind whispered through the trees'.

Tags

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.5.3

CCSS.RL.5.5

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.7.3

Front

What is hyperbole?

Back

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. For example, 'I’m so hungry I could eat a horse'.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Front

What is an idiom?

Back

An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. For example, 'It's raining cats and dogs' means it's raining heavily.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5B

CCSS.L.5.5B

Front

What is a theme in literature?

Back

A theme is the central idea or message in a literary work. It often reflects on human nature or society.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.6

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D